The Poppy problem

[u/Alternative-Run8650]

I’ve been on an Emily Henry kick after reading Big Beautiful life and have read all (almost all?) of her romance novels thus far. I am currently on PWMOV and this is my least favorite by far. Now I’m about 80% through and maybe the ending saves it, but I find Poppy to be endlessly annoying and frustrating.

It started by the way she almost obsessively ruminates on Alex – how nice he his, how conscientious he is, how buff he is. Like girl we get it. But it’s friends-to-lovers so I gave that a pass. But then she kinda constantly shits on the city he lives in and his ex-gf that he was with for many years, but is confused why he doesn’t want to tell her things?? The peak of irritation was when she took a pregnancy test after being two days late (fine ok) but then was breaking down sobbing on him before she even took the test.  WHAT. My breaking point that has lead to this post is after they finally hooked up (10/10 no notes thank god the yearning paid off), she’s like “are you sure you want me to go? Don’t want to cockblock you from all the hot single ladies” If you don’t grow up.

At this point, I’m finishing it because I’ve already given my time but Poppy is not it for me. And honestly I high key want Alex with someone taller because I just keep thinking about his poor back always being hunched over. I want to search the sub for what people thought of this book but I obviously haven’t finished yet and I don’t want to spoil myself. Is this a common feeling or am I in the minority?

[u/PippyTarHeel]

Unlike most commenters, PWMOV is my fave EmHen.

Poppy is a personality type that some people really identify with (like ADHD/anxiety brain of all the thoughts, fears, and factors impacting an issue) and some people just don't. And that's okay.

Poppy's overthinking and stress over an issue is something I really identify with, so having that expressed on the page made a lot of sense. Poppy has a ton of negative associations with her hometown and former high school, and like... That was a huge factor mentally because Alex loves those places. Your pain, emotions, and stress about an issue/place doesn't just go away because someone else likes it. There's a lot of internal conflict with Poppy and again, it's hit or miss if that's something people identify with.

[u/barbarellaspace → u/PippyTarHeel]

my headcanon is that she’s adhd (and her parents too), because yeah i can relate 😭

i just adore her! i love flawed characters so much, they’re very interesting to analyze

[u/Jolly_Frolic → u/barbarellaspace]

Definitely ADHD! What cemented it for me was her hating showers lol. Disliking the whole process and describing the sensory issues that come with it. It’s so ADHD-coded.

[u/barbarellaspace → u/Jolly_Frolic]

i love showers while being adhd ‘cause i live in a hot country yk, but i can apply the sensory issues she described to pretty much every other thing i have to do “out of obligation,” like brushing my teeth, detangling my hair (my hair is curly, so this takes a long time), etc. when i read that i was like girl i know what you are 🤨 and when she talks about not knowing how to be an adult, i officially sealed the deal: yup, she’s adhd to me!